Ontario Cracks Down on Sky-High Ticket Resales

Ontario's government is set to amend ticket sales legislation, planning to cap resale prices for live events. This move aims to ensure fans can access tickets at fair prices and prevent exploitation through price gouging.

The proposed changes to the Ticket Sales Act will make it illegal to resell tickets for concerts, sports, and other live performances at a price exceeding their original cost. This initiative addresses concerns raised by consumers about inflated resale values.

This is not the first time such measures have been considered. In 2019, the current government cancelled planned changes that would have limited resale prices to 50 per cent above face value. However, recent popular events, such as the Toronto Blue Jays' successful run, highlighted the issue of exorbitant ticket prices, prompting renewed government action.

While the intention is to protect consumers, some industry experts suggest potential unintended consequences. Concerns have been raised that such controls might shift costs elsewhere or consolidate power with dominant ticketing platforms, potentially impacting independent resale markets.